Rare Autographs, Manuscripts and Aviation Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/27/2016
Extremely Rare autograph message as President all in FDR's hand in pencil and marked by him as "Restricted" at top. -No date [possibly February 1939]. No place [aboard the U.S.S. Houston]. One page. 8" x 10.5". Lined paper. In pencil.
-To: Secretary of Treasury [Henry Morgenthau, Jr.]
-Fine.The text of a telegram to Secretary of Treasury Morgenthau, written on board the U.S.S. Houston entirely in Roosevelt's hand. At the top, FDR wrote "Restricted" meaning that the message was to be transmitted on a secure communications channel. In full, "For Secretary Treasury. Think I approve your suggestion about Lockhead but in view of fact nomination cannot possibly go in till my return please hold everything. Roosevelt"Handwritten letters and messages by FDR as president are exceedingly rare, and any messages to cabinet members are even more desirable., this example is of the utmost desirability and would benefit from more research to determine exactly what FDR is referring to.
Morgenthau and Roosevelt had been friends since 1913 and had served together in New York state government before FDR was elected president. Even though Morgenthau, an orthodox economist, was a controversial choice for Treasury Secretary in 1934, he was loyal to Roosevelt and the New Deal and retained his office until 1945. His son, Robert M. Morgenthau, is currently District Attorney of New York County.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Rare ALS as President
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